How to Master the Basics of Hotel Marketing

Like any other business, hotels can’t open their doors and expect clients to line up to book their services. Establishments in hospitality rely on the skills of marketing professionals to promote their accommodations, event spaces, restaurants, and other entertainment services they offer. However, there are many tips for marketing professionals in the hospitality industry to create a more effective promotion strategy. Online hotel management degree programs help professionals discover new ways to create marketing opportunities in the travel industry. Here are a few tips that professionals considering a career in hospitality marketing can put into practice immediately.

Make Every Staffer a Salesman
Most members of a hotel staff, particularly those working at the front desk, come into regular contact with clients. Staff members should all be made aware of the hotel’s full service offerings so that they will always be prepared to upsell guests on other services. Tired guests may be interested in salon services or the bar, business travelers may be able to take advantage of faxing or concierge services, etc. It’s important that hotel management impress onto every member of the team that in addition to being customer service professionals, they are also a core part of the sales team.

Stock up on Business Cards
It is vital that business cards are always on hand at the front desk, near brochure kiosks, accompanying welcome letters inside hotel rooms, etc. Guests may need to use the business cards during their stay to remember the hotel address, particularly international travelers. After their stay, hotel guests will take your business card to remind themselves of where to stay the next time they are in town.

Use an Official Email Signature
Implement an official email signature that contains the hotel logo, contact information, and a link to your website. People you email will have immediate access to your website if they want to inspect the hotel more closely or start booking.

Publish Guest Comments Online
Devote a section of your website to testimonials from guests who have stayed at your hotel. People are strongly influenced by social opinion when making purchasing decisions. Even a snippet of a review on your main page could give prospective clients the nudge they needed to book with you. Marketing managers can publish notes from guest comment cards or pull reviews from sites like TripAdvisor and Yelp.

Promote Hotel Packages
All hotels should have a few special packages that guests can either select as they make reservations or upgrade to when they arrive at the hotel. These can be as simple as including breakfast in the price of the booking or arranging tickets to nearby shows, sports events, and attractions. Creating packages that save clients time and take some of the planning out of their vacations are a simple way to create a tailored experience for guests as well as boost sales for hotels.

Hotel management staff are critical in driving hospitality sales in all areas of an establishment’s business. Online hotel management programs will teach students many different techniques for selling travel products. To find out how you can train for a career in hospitality through convenient online courses, contact an admissions representative at Pittsburgh Technical Institute.

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